Lentswe, Klerksdorp - The knives are out for the embattled CFO of the Matlosana Municipality. Seven months after her first arrest, the Hawks pounced on Mercy Phetla again this week, arresting her on a charge of fraud amounting to R2,9 million.
She appeared in the Klerksdorp magistrate’s court alongside the city’s store manager, Mmatebesi Sekhejane. A service provider for the municipality, Tiisetso Sebetlele, was also in the dock. He is the owner of Variegated, the company that was allegedly paid R2.9-million by the city. The deal was to supply electrical material to Matlosana, paid in January, which was not delivered.
Lt-Col Tiniyiko Mathebula, spokesperson for the Hawks, said the trio were arrested on Monday August 19 by members of the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation Unit, following an investigation into allegations of procurement irregularities.
“It is alleged that in January 2024, the municipality paid a service provider an amount of R2.9-million. This was for electrical materials, which were never delivered.”
Phetla was released on R35 000 bail, while Sebetlele was granted R20 000 bail.
Sekhejane was released on R5 000 bail. The court has ordered the accused to report to the nearest police stations once a week. They are not to be in contact with the state witnesses. Their case was postponed to November 12 for further investigation.
The provincial head of the Hawks, Major General Patrick Mbotho welcomed the arrests. Provincial Director of Public Prosecutions Dr Rachel Makhari also lauded the arrests of the accused. They have vowed that the Hawks and NPA will continue working together to fight malfeasance in public institutions.
This is the second arrest for Phetla. Earlier this year she was put behind bars over allegations that she was bribed with a R1.4-million car. The bribe was allegedly in exchange for a contract that was awarded to GMHM Construction.
At the time, Phetla was arrested alongside GMHM directors Matshepiso Mothelesane and Nomthandazo Mokasule on allegations that in June last year, the service provider purchased a VW Amarok pickup worth R1.4-million for Phetla. Allegations are that the gift was never declared by the CFO to her employer. Investigations by the Hawks Serious Corruption Unit revealed that the service provider (GMHM) has a month-to-month contract with the municipality. The trio were arrested, appeared before court, and were each released on R35 000 bail. The investigation is ongoing. After her first arrest, Phetla was adamant that that she was innocent and had no dealings with anyone regarding corruption.
She told the media that her enemies are out to destroy her.
